The Quiet Place Within

This week, Elisa is hosting "In 'Other' Words" at her site, Extravagant Grace. She has chosen a quote from the Anne Ortlund's book "The Disciplines of a Beautiful Woman."

"But remember, for all your adult life you'll be a woman. And how you live your life as a woman, all by yourself before God, is what makes the real you. Nothing on the exterior can touch or change that precious inner sanctuary, your heart, his dwelling place unless you let it. And God, who loves you very much has tailor made all your outer life, your circumstances, your relationships, to pressure you into becoming that beautiful woman he's planned for you to be."



~ Anne Ortlund ~

"There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God. A place where sin cannot molest, near to the heard of God."

I love that old hymn and have found it to be true in my life. There is a place near to God's heart where I can go when I am hurting, lonely or needy. He is always there and will always take the time to hold my hurting heart and speak comforting words.

For me, this place is a wonderful sun room, walled in by glass windows. I can still see the outside world, but inside I feel safe and comforted because the elements can no longer harm me. There is lush greenery and wonderful tropical flowers that bring joy to my heart. Fountains flow with His living water where He washes away the grime and stain of the world.

Here we sit and talk for hours on end. Honesty and truth lace His words. He doesn't hesitate to reflect back to me what He sees inside me and to offer suggestions on how to deal with the blemishes and scars that mar my heart. When He smiles, it radiates through the whole garden, warming and comforting my soul.

This is the place where I feel the most "real", the most alive. It's also where my ministry begins because I get filled up with His presence here so I can go outside those walls of safety to reach out to others.

No matter what happens outside that place, I know He is in control and will use those things to mold me into the woman He intends me to be. I can face the outward hurts, trials and tensions of this world because I know I can always return to that inner sanctuary each morning or whenever needed through the day. And I can rest there safely in His arms each night because I have taken the time to know Him and found Him to be trustworthy.

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If you would like to join us today, simply blog about the quote on your blog site, then visit Elisa at her site Extravagant Grace and leave your blog URL along with a comment. Be sure to check out the other blogs as well!